Our Favorite Songs Right Now: Nicki Minaj, Flaming Lips and More
Along with new music from veteran acts like the Magnetic Fields and the Flaming Lips, Rolling Stone's latest playlist features Nicki Minaj's killer spin on Rae Sremmurd's Number One smash "Black Beatles," an anti-catcalling anthem from Charly Bliss, an elegiac track from Chicago rapper Saba and more.
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Childish Gambino, “Redbone”
Has anyone ever done the actor-to-rapper thing as well as Community/Atlanta star Donald Glover? This single from his third LP exudes geeky warmth, as he splays helium-soul love all over a rubbery P-Funk groove. But when he sings, "You better believe in something," it's clear there's more going on here than just looped-out fun.
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The Magnetic Fields, “’93 Me and Fred and Dave and Ted”
Stephin Merritt is releasing an album of 50 songs, one for every year of his life – including this sweet ode to New York in '93, complete with squalor, sex and gunplay.
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Saba “Westside Bound 3”
An elegiac image of Chicago from rapper Saba. Poignant details (like leaving for college as your friends go to jail) drive the song home.
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Sylvan Esso, “Kick Jump Twist”
Amelia Meath, the singer in this North Carolina synth-pop duo, can pull you out on the dance floor with just a murmur, and this crinkly track will keep you there all night.
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The Flaming Lips, “How??”
Amiably deranged psych rock that's perfectly poised between wonderment and dread. This darkly hulking song from the Lips' forthcoming album is like viewing an alien craft over a far-off ridge. We're probably gonna die, but, man, does it look awesome.
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Charly Bliss, “Turd”
A great punk-rock banger about getting catcalled ("In your dreams, turd!"), with all sales going to Planned Parenthood.
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Nicki Minaj, “Black Barbies”
Just as Rae Sremmurd's "Black Beatles" went Number One, Nicki Minaj dropped this killer freestyle over that irresistible hit: "Island girl, Donald Trump want me go home/Still pull up with my wrist lookin' like a snow cone," she raps. We're all just lucky to live in her flex zone.